Why this ride
On the way it passes Niokolo-Koba National Park, Peul Dindéfello and back through Niokolo-Koba National Park. The line favours views over speed.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Bassari Salémata and Peul Dindéfello
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 856 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 13 h 58
- Journey
- Recorded itinerary
Distance and timing basis
The recorded total and the leg detail need reconciliation. Inspect the leg notes before using this record for timing or navigation. Stops, delays, approach and any separate return travel add time. Basis: producer-declared routed record.
Reading history stays on this device. My road watch requires a separate selection; opening it does not subscribe this ride.
Distance and riding time are measured on the routed road. Check local closures and conditions before you ride.
Waypoint introductions and full write-ups
1. Bassari Salémata
The Bassari people live in the hills of southeastern Senegal and northern Guinea, in a country of rocky outcrops, savannah and deep, lush valleys that run down from the Fouta Djallon plateau. Salemata is one of their main centres, a small town in the Kedougou region of Senegal, and the Bassari, with their neighbours the Bedik and the Fula, make up the cultural landscape of Bassari Country, listed by UNESCO in 2012. The Bassari have kept their traditions with great determination. Young men go through initiation rites in the forest, lasting weeks and ending with masked dances and ceremonies in which the whole village takes part. Dancers wear costumes of leaves and fibres, and the Bedik have their own, different, masks.
Read the complete Bassari Salémata write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Bassari Salémata is where the day begins. Next is Niokolo-Koba National Park.
2. Niokolo-Koba National Park
In the south-east of Senegal, where the country presses against Guinea, the Gambia river begins to gather itself, and around its upper reaches lies Niokolo-Koba, one of the largest and oldest national parks in West Africa. It covers nearly a million hectares of savanna, dry forest, gallery woodland and grassy floodplain, and it holds some of the last strongholds of West African wildlife. UNESCO recognised it in 1981, and it has been listed as in danger since 2007, mostly because of poaching and pressure from outside.
Read the complete Niokolo-Koba National Park write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Niokolo-Koba National Park comes up 102 km in. Next is Peul Dindéfello.
3. Peul Dindéfello
Dindéfello is where the Sahel finally gives up and the Fouta Djallon begins. The village sits in southeastern Senegal, tucked against the border with Guinea, and the plateau behind it drops away in a red cliff that feeds a waterfall of about a hundred metres. After the rains the fall is a proper white rope hanging off the rock. In the dry season it thins to a veil, but the pool beneath is still deep enough for a cool plunge and the walk through the gorge in the shade is worth the heat.
Read the complete Peul Dindéfello write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
203 km in you reach Peul Dindéfello. Next is back through Niokolo-Koba National Park.
4. back through Niokolo-Koba National Park
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Niokolo-Koba National Park write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through Niokolo-Koba National Park, late in the day. Next is Bassari Salémata.
5. Bassari Salémata
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Bassari Salémata write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Back at Bassari Salémata. That is the ride.
Leg by leg
Bassari Salémata to Niokolo-Koba National Park
Bassari Salémata → Niokolo-Koba National Park is 66 km of getting across. Ride it tidily and keep the enthusiasm for what comes after.
Niokolo-Koba National Park to Peul Dindéfello
Niokolo-Koba National Park → Peul Dindéfello is 137 km of getting across. Ride it tidily and keep the enthusiasm for what comes after.
Peul Dindéfello to back through Niokolo-Koba National Park
Peul Dindéfello → back through Niokolo-Koba National Park is 137 km of getting across. Ride it tidily and keep the enthusiasm for what comes after.
back through Niokolo-Koba National Park to Bassari Salémata
back through Niokolo-Koba National Park → Bassari Salémata is 66 km of getting across. Ride it tidily and keep the enthusiasm for what comes after.